Helen Marie Allison

~ Celebrating the Life of Helen Marie Herr Allison ~

Born July 1, 1938, in Akron, Ohio, to Joseph J. Herr and Helen Bukovey Herr, Helen lived a life defined by adventure, service, teaching, and compassion. After graduating from Our Lady of the Elms High School and earning her degree in psychology from the University of Akron, she set out on a cross-country adventure in a VW bug—hat box in hand—that eventually led her to San Diego, the city she would call home. It was here she met and married Gene Leroy Allison, U.S. Naval Reserve (Ret.), on May 5, 1962. Together they raised two children, Lynn Michelle and Gregg Patrick Allison.

Helen lived with passion and purpose. She worked early on as a probation officer in San Diego County and taught high school English in Oakland before dedicating herself to raising her family, giving decades of volunteer leadership, and answering her true calling as a teacher and advocate for children with learning differences.

Helen poured her energy into family and community. She volunteered for everything! The PTA for 12 years (past President), Girl Scouts as troop leader for 8 years, little league as team mom, the Naval Hospital Speech and Hearing Clinic, Naval Reserve Balls (past Chairman), Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Del Cerro Juniors. She donated countless hours to the Iris Auxiliary (past President) in support of the San Diego Center for Children, Social Services Auxiliary of San Diego (Wine and Roses Chairman) in support of Camp Oliver and Globe Guilders in support of the arts. And for the past 19 years, you could see her “up top side” as she proudly served as one of the “World-Famous Docents” aboard the USS Midway, earning multiple docent jackets and ultimately retiring with 2,700 hours of service. As a strong patriot, she truly loved being a part of the Midway Magic.

As a dear friend recently shared, “Helen, you always seemed to be the president of everything! PTA, committees, fundraisers, causes. If something important needed doing, Helen was at the helm. You led with grace, conviction, and kindness. And somehow, you made it all seem effortless….You lit up every room with your sharp wit, your clear sense of purpose, and that big, beautiful heart that never ran out of space for one more person to help, or one more thing to care about.”

Teaching was Helen’s true calling. While she earned her real estate license along the way, her heart was always in education. She became a reading specialist with the Lindamood-Bell program and tutored children from her home office for 15 years. Then, in her early 50s, she returned to UCSD to earn her special education credential so she could serve as a resource specialist for the San Diego City School District, a career she loved for 15 years before ultimately retiring from Marshall Thorogood Middle School in 2005. As it is often said, “To teach is to touch a life forever” and Helen touched countless young lives with her dedication and patience.

Helen’s compassion extended deeply into advocacy and family was always at the center of her heart. When her granddaughter Michelle was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease, mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (MPS I), Helen relocated to Long Beach to support her daughter’s family through a bone marrow transplant journey, an experience that inspired her lifelong dedication to the National MPS Society. She became a devoted advocate for families, leading grandparent groups, volunteering at conferences, and ensuring children felt celebrated and supported. Her commitment earned her the Society’s 2025 Legacy Advocacy Award, recognized as a beloved matriarch to so many families affected by MPS.

For the past 19 years, she shared her life with her trusted companion, John Baird. Together they traveled, volunteered, and enjoyed countless moments with family and friends. Helen loved to travel, far and wide, but Lake Tahoe always had a special place in her heart.

Helen’s generosity and determination left an indelible mark on everyone she met. Whether leading an organization, celebrating family and treasured friends, organizing a fundraiser, teaching a child to read, guiding visitors aboard the Midway, or comforting families facing unimaginable challenges, Helen lived with an open heart and boundless energy. And no story of Helen would ever be complete without saying, she had a huge heart for our furry friends, especially her beloved German Shepherd Sasha, a rescue from the Humane Society!

Helen was diagnosed with glioblastoma on July 3, 2025, and passed away peacefully on September 11, 2025, at Kaiser Hospital in Clairemont Mesa, surrounded by the love of her family.

She is survived by her daughter Lynn Hopkins and husband Scott, son Gregg Allison and wife Sheri, cherished grandchildren Christopher and Michelle Hopkins and Zachary Allison, partner of 19 years John Baird, brother Joseph Herr of Cleveland, OH; and sister-in-law Betty Allison of Gibsonia, PA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene (1998).

Helen lived with a passion for people, service, a love of country, and a sense of adventure that will continue to inspire all who knew her. As Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Helen knew her “why,” and she lived it every day—with purpose, enthusiasm, and love.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the National MPS Society at mpssociety.org or P.O. Box 14686, Durham, NC 27709-4686 in Memory of Helen Allison. Please come help us celebrate Helen’s zest for life on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 11AM at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 6556 Park Ridge Blvd, San Diego, CA 92120, followed by a reception at her home. Be sure to check back for a few more photos!